MLS Futbolito to Tour U.S.

One of the
nation’s most successful grassroots soccer initiatives returns to fields across
America this summer, as thousands of soccer players of all ages and from all
walks of life will again lace up their cleats to participate in the eighth
edition of MLS Futbolito, Major League Soccer’s official 4-v-4 tournament. The
13-event national tour, presented by Panasonic, kicks-off in Miami on Sunday,
May 23, 2010 in celebration of this World Cup summer.

MLS
Futbolito, the largest touring Hispanic event hosted by a U.S. professional
sports league, is a series of all-day events targeting the League’s growing
multicultural fan base and hosted by the local MLS team.  

“MLS
Futbolito represents a bridge that connects the soccer community around the
country to our League and our clubs,” said David Wright, Vice President of
Partnership Marketing, MLS. “Entering its eighth year, MLS Futbolito has
become a well-known and highly anticipated event where soccer is celebrated by
the entire family.”

Approximately
50,000 people, between participants ages 6 to 55 and spectators, attended MLS
Futbolito 2009 across 13 markets from coast to coast. Highlights included
the event in Foxborough, MA, held in conjunction with the New England
Revolution at Gillette Stadium that took place on the same day as the
Revolution’s SuperLiga match against Santos Laguna. This event included a
record-breaking 208 teams, making it one of the most successful MLS Futbolito
events in its history. Each participant was able to play in at least one
match on the grounds of Gillette Stadium, making it an unforgettable experience
for participants and their families. In 2010, Futbolito will once again take
place at Gillette Stadium on July 10.

Univision, a
league broadcast partner, and their popular sports show, “Republica Deportiva”,
Univision’s sports lifestyle program on Spanish-language television in the
U.S., will broadcast its fourth consecutive live annual show from the Miami MLS
Futbolito event to officially kick off the 2010 grassroots series.

Soccer
legends and TV personalities who have assisted and participated in MLS
Futbolito in the past include former World Cup legends Marco Etcheverry,
Teofilo Cubillas, George Weah, Carlos Valderrama, Mauricio Cienfuegos and
Noticiero Univision’s lead anchor Jorge Ramos.

MLS Futbolito
will continue to work with the League’s community outreach initiative, MLS
W.O.R.K.S., in supporting their initiatives such as Active Bodies Active
Minds, a soccer-centered initiative that provides reading and fitness resources
to motivate and reward children for being mentally and physically fit. 

In addition
to MLS Futbolito presenting sponsor Panasonic, associate level partners include
adidas, Degree Deodorant, Fox Sports en Español, Glidden Paints, Makita, NAPA Auto
Parts, Pepsi, The Home Depot, Visa, Volkswagen and Xbox 360.

For further
information about MLS Futbolito, visit the event’s official site: www.MLSFutbolito.com. Below is the 2010 MLS Futbolito
schedule, including park addresses, as well as the official competition format
and registration information.

2010 MLS Futbolito
Schedule

Sunday,
May 23 – Miami

Kendall
Soccer Park

8011 SW 127th
Ave.

Miami, FL
33183

Saturday,
June 5 – Dallas

Pizza Hut
Park

9200 World
Cup Way

Frisco, TX
7503

Saturday,
June 19 – San
Jose            

Independence
HS

1776
Educational Park Dr.

San Jose, CA
95133

Padua Park

4264 Padua
Avenue

Claremont, CA
91711

Saturday,
July 10 – New England    

Gillette
Stadium

1 Patriot
Place

Foxborough,
MA 02035

Saturday,
July 17 – New York City

Flushing
Meadows Corona Park

111 54th Ave.

Flushing, NY
11365

Saturday,
July 31 – Chicago   

Riis
Park              

6100 W.
Fullerton Ave.

Chicago, IL
60639

Saturday,
August 7 – Washington D.C.

Maryland
SoccerPlex     

18031 Central
Park Circle

Boyds, MD
20841

Saturday,
August 14 – Columbus

Rhodes Park

1818 W. Broad
St.

Columbus, OH‎
43223

Saturday, August
21– Philadelphia

Showalter
Middle School

1100 W 10th
St.

Chester, PA
19013

Saturday,
August 28 – Houston

USA Park

11225 Forbes
Rd

Houston, TX
77075

Saturday,
September 11 – Los Angeles

(Hosted by
Chivas USA)

Ontario
Soccer Complex

2200 E. Philadelphia
St.

Ontario, CA
91764

Saturday,
September 18 – Portland

Location to
be confirmed*

*Locations to be
confirmed and announced in the coming weeks.

Competition
Format and Registration Information

The 4-v-4 tournament
is open to players of all ages, abilities and affiliations. Team rosters can
consist of up to seven players (four field players and three substitutes) and
each team will play in round-robin action, with the possibility of advancing to
the single-elimination championship playoff.

Teams
registered for the competition will be divided according to age groups and
competitive levels with winners in each division receiving prizes.  In addition
to participating, each registered player will receive a ticket to an MLS match
(in applicable markets), and the chance to win prizes from the sponsors. There
will be $3,000 in cash prizes ($2,000 for first place and $1,000 for second
place) for adult premier.

More
information on the competitions and events in both English and Spanish can be
found on the official web site for Futbolito: www.MLSFutbolito.com. Teams can register for competitions,
obtain all rules and regulations and learn about the competition dates and
locations. Additionally, interested participants with questions can call
toll-free at +1-888-MLS-FUTBOLITO. The entrance fee is $150 per team for those
competing in the Adult Premier Division and $120 per team for all other
participants.